Twisty Light Bulb Warning

What probably has even a greater likelihood of being seen (and heard) is a sustained blue arc inside the base unit from electrical component breakdown/failure along with its familiar buzzing or crackling sound. But, I would not doubt the blue flame possibility if there is some kind of out-gassing to sustain it.

I want to say that I have seen such a thing at least once myself - just do not remember exactly where and when...

Bob, as you know i'm a huge fan of your work but the amount of mercury in these bulb is probably the same as when you eat tuna.
And if you want to be one with nature since the modern world with all its side-effects is too much, you can always abandon the modern world and live in the woods or the dessert.
Don't be like California basically which says that everything gives you cancer. The way you get cancer in California is like this.
When you're at the Arizona border-line and you cross the line and step your right foot into California ... you get cancer. That's how that works.
As always, huge fan of your work and be well.

This kind/type of scenario is how it happens. And, the fault is almost always a manufacturing flaw.

If you ain't got sick yet, I reckon it won't kill you. Keep on going with your life.

There was a video I watched of someone who took it apart to reveal the circuit board. I was surprised how many components there were. I could see how it would be easy for those to fail. I didn't know that they were such a fire hazard. I always thought that the hot burning halogens would be the ones. Perhaps they are too? I don't know. I got rid of the lamp though.

This kind/type of scenario is how it happens. And, the fault is almost always a manufacturing flaw.

At some time during the past few years, I found a 2-inch long piece of solder [wire] laying inside a 'Mr. Coffee' coffee warmer (which I had been using for quite some time already) - right before I noticed that they disappeared off of store shelves everywhere.

Hmmm - wonder if that carelessly happened to many of them at the factory? ("Made in China", best I remember)

I have a vintage stove top glass percolator (I love how those look when they are percolating!)...anyway this ^ made me think I need to start using it instead of just admiring how it looks lol.

There are sometimes very good reasons besides [just] "being old-fashioned" for using older equipment made during a time when people cared more about quality-in-workmanship. Modern greed in manufacturing - with the "throw-away" mentality - can very well be the worst option of the available choices - risk against risk - just depends on what you want [more]...

This is a tech question, but not about the forum.
My ceiling light just burned out. It's a CFL twisted fluorescent bulb in my living room. When the bulb burned out. It was literally a blue flame that looked like it was coming from the base of the tube , so I turned off at the switch. The glass was not visibly broken, but I'm concerned that mercury escaped from beneath the visible area as the white plastic area surrounding was burnt brown.
Any ideas as to whether the gas escaped? It stands to reason that mercury gas escaped or that a circuit at the location ignited.
I don't trust them and will be disposing of my other fluorescent bulbs.

After watching videos on fires from these, I suggest replacements for those who still have them.

Have you ever seen the official instructions for what you are supposed to do if one breaks? Ridiculous.